Alex Ovechkin, who was named the captain of the Metropolitan Division team for the All-Star Game on Jan. 26, has informed the NHL that he will skip the festivities to rest for the second half of the season.

The Capitals captain leads the league with 29 goals.

\"My body needs a rest,\" he said after practice on Wednesday.

Deciding to skip the game means that Ovechkin will have to also sit out the game before or game after the contest, per NHL rules.